Gaborikâ€™s hat trick leads Team Chara to All-Star win

Zdeno Chara, No. 33 of the Boston Bruins and Team Chara, celebrates with teammates Corey Perry, No. 10 of the Ducks , and Marian Hossa, No. 81 of the Chicago Blackhawks, after scoring a goal in the third period during the 2012 NHL All-Star Game. CHRISTIAN PETERSEN, GETTY IMAGES

Marian Gaborik made New York Rangers teammate Henrik Lundqvist pay for not selecting him to play for Daniel Alfredsson's team in the NHL All-Star game.

Gaborik beat Lundqvist twice in the first period, finished with three goals and an assist, and earned MVP honors in leading Team Chara to a 12-9 win over Team Alfredsson on Sunday.

Tim Thomas made 18 saves in the final period, and extended his record by winning his fourth All-Star game.

Chara, with the eventual winning goal, Marian Hossa and Corey Perry broke the game open by scoring three times in a span of 1:22 that put their club ahead 11-8 with 6:34 remaining.

Despite the loss, Alfredsson rewarded his hometown fans by leading his team with two goals and an assist. The Senators captain also hinted afterward that he is considering coming back for one more season.

In an interview broadcast on the arena's scoreboard, Alfredsson was asked about his future.

With a smile on his face, and fans cheering his name, Alfredsson said: "Fifty percent yes, and my wife's going to have to decide the other 50."

Henrik Sedin had a goal and two assists for Team Alfredsson.

Gaborik became the 16th player to score at least three goals — one short of matching the record — in the All-Star game, and first since Rick Nash had three in 2008.

The outcome was decided in the final period, in which Team Chara outscored Team Alfredsson 6-3.

Hossa broke an 8-8 tie by scoring on a partial breakaway after being set up by Pavel Datsyuk with 7:56 left. Settling the puck, Hossa stopped in front and then backhanded a shot past Brian Elliott.

Chara gave his club a 10-8 lead when Gaborik fed him a perfect pass into the middle for a snap shot past Elliott.

For Team Chara, Hossa and Jarome Iginla had a goal and two assists, and Joffrey Lupul scored twice.

Daniel Sedin, John Tavares, Jason Pominville and Milan Michalek had a goal and assist each for Team Alfredsson.

Team Chara got off to a fast start, building a 3-0 lead on Gaborik's second goal 9:51 in. The club was so dominant that it was leading 2-0 before Alfredsson's team got off its first shot.

Gaborik certainly enjoyed getting the best of Lundqvist. After scoring his first goal on a give-and-go with Datsyuk, Gaborik circled the net dropped to one knee and pointed his stick at Lundqvist while pumping his fist.

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